The Plan - 7 Things to do this weekend

Published: Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 12:37 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 12:37 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday - N.C. Oyster Festival

Ocean Isle Beach between Second and Third streets will be the site for the N.C. Oyster Festival, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

Now in its 33rd year, the festival features an oyster stew cook-off, an oyster-shucking contest, live music by an array of regional bands, a massive crafts show and a children’s area with rides, games, clowns and face-painting. Admission is $5. The event has drawn more than 50,000 people in recent years. For details, call the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce at 754-6644 or go to www.ncOysterFestival.com.

Saturday - Salty Paws Festival and Brunswick Family Fun Day

Salty Paws Festival

Every dog has his day, they say. For many of them (and some cats, too), that day might be Saturday at the Fifth Annual Salty Paws Festival, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Carolina Beach Lake Park.

Sponsored by Saving Animals During Disaster, a non-profit rescue group, the event combines education with entertainment – and pets are invited, too. Cash prizes will be awarded in the pet costume contest, with a special Bubba/Bubbette category. Owners can get their pets microchipped for easy identification at a cost of $30. Rescued animals will also be available for adoption.

The band Mystic River will perform live, and food, wine and beer will be on sale. Proceeds will go toward SADD’s animal rescue efforts. For information, call 458-7233 or go to SavingAnimalsDuringDisasters.org.

Brunswick Family Fun Day

Kayaking, pony rides, off-road cycling, nature hikes and crafts – they’re all part of Brunswick County Family Fun Day, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at the Brunswick County Nature Park off N.C. 133 about 10 miles south of Leland. Admission is free; food vendors will be on hand for lunches or snacks. The event, under the aegis of the N.C. Coastal Land Trust, aims to introduce locals to the area’s outdoor activities. For details, call 790-4524.

All weekend - Wilmington Oktoberfest and Haunted theater

Wilmington Oktoberfest

Weiner dog races, an oom-pah band, bratwurst and, of course, beer – ja, it’s time for Oktoberfest Wilmington, Friday, Saturday and Sunday outside the New Hanover County Government Center (the parking lot for Break Time and Ten Pin Alley), 127 S. College Road.

Admission is $5 at the gate, with proceeds earmarked for the Pretty in Pink Foundation, a local charity that aids breast cancer patients with medical expenses. For details, call Break Time at 395-6658 or go to OktoberfestWilmington.com.

Haunted theater

Journey Productions presents a second weekend of “Cabin in the Woods,” a spooky tale of high school cheerleaders lured away and trapped you-know-where. (Don’t worry; producers promise family-friendly fare). Show times are 8 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in Thalian Hall’s studio theater, 310 Chestnut St. Tickets are $13. For details, call 632-2285 or go to ThalianHall.org.

For older fans, there’s “Fright Night,” 6 p.m. (doors) Friday and Saturday at TheatreNOW, 19 S. 10 St. The dinner theater show dramatizes Old Wilmington ghost stories. Tickets are $38 with a three-course dinner, $18 for just the show. For reservations and details, call 399-3669 or go to WilmingtonTheatre.com.

Sunday - Cinematique

If you missed the summer indie comedy “The Way, Way Back” about a 14-year-old’s adventures working at a beach water park, Cinematique is bringing it back next week. A rare Sunday screening is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on the Thalian Hall mainstage. Tickets are $7. 632-2285 or ThalianHall.org

<p class="bold allcaps">Saturday and Sunday - N.C. Oyster Festival</p>
<p>Ocean Isle Beach between Second and Third streets will be the site for the N.C. Oyster Festival, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.</p><p>Now in its 33rd year, the festival features an oyster stew cook-off, an oyster-shucking contest, live music by an array of regional bands, a massive crafts show and a children's area with rides, games, clowns and face-painting. Admission is $5. The event has drawn more than 50,000 people in recent years. For details, call the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce at 754-6644 or go to www.ncOysterFestival.com.</p><h3>Saturday - Salty Paws Festival and Brunswick Family Fun Day</h3>
<p>Salty Paws Festival </p><p>Every dog has his day, they say. For many of them (and some cats, too), that day might be Saturday at the Fifth Annual Salty Paws Festival, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Carolina Beach Lake Park.</p><p>Sponsored by Saving Animals During Disaster, a non-profit rescue group, the event combines education with entertainment – and pets are invited, too. Cash prizes will be awarded in the pet costume contest, with a special Bubba/Bubbette category. Owners can get their pets microchipped for easy identification at a cost of $30. Rescued animals will also be available for adoption.</p><p>The band Mystic River will perform live, and food, wine and beer will be on sale. Proceeds will go toward SADD's animal rescue efforts. For information, call 458-7233 or go to SavingAnimalsDuringDisasters.org.</p><p>Brunswick Family Fun Day</p><p>Kayaking, pony rides, off-road cycling, nature hikes and crafts – they're all part of Brunswick County Family Fun Day, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at the Brunswick County Nature Park off N.C. 133 about 10 miles south of <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9971"><b>Leland</b></a>. Admission is free; food vendors will be on hand for lunches or snacks. The event, under the aegis of the N.C. Coastal Land Trust, aims to introduce locals to the area's outdoor activities. For details, call 790-4524.</p><h3>All weekend - Wilmington Oktoberfest and Haunted theater</h3>
<p>Wilmington Oktoberfest</p><p>Weiner dog races, an oom-pah band, bratwurst and, of course, beer – ja, it's time for Oktoberfest Wilmington, Friday, Saturday and Sunday outside the New Hanover County Government Center (the parking lot for Break Time and Ten Pin Alley), 127 S. College Road. </p><p>Gates open 5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday and noon Sunday. The Harbour Towne Fest Band (pictured) performs 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. The weiner dog races, with real dachshunds, begin 4 p.m. Saturday.</p><p>Admission is $5 at the gate, with proceeds earmarked for the Pretty in Pink Foundation, a local charity that aids breast cancer patients with medical expenses. For details, call Break Time at 395-6658 or go to OktoberfestWilmington.com. </p><p>Haunted theater</p><p>Journey Productions presents a second weekend of “Cabin in the Woods,” a spooky tale of high school cheerleaders lured away and trapped you-know-where. (Don't worry; producers promise family-friendly fare). Show times are 8 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in Thalian Hall's studio theater, 310 Chestnut St. Tickets are $13. For details, call 632-2285 or go to ThalianHall.org.</p><p>For older fans, there's “Fright Night,” 6 p.m. (doors) Friday and Saturday at TheatreNOW, 19 S. 10 St. The dinner theater show dramatizes Old Wilmington ghost stories. Tickets are $38 with a three-course dinner, $18 for just the show. For reservations and details, call 399-3669 or go to WilmingtonTheatre.com.</p><h3>Sunday - Cinematique</h3>
<p>If you missed the summer indie comedy “The Way, Way Back” about a 14-year-old's adventures working at a beach water park, Cinematique is bringing it back next week. A rare Sunday screening is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on the <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9941"><b>Thalian Hall</b></a> mainstage. Tickets are $7. 632-2285 or ThalianHall.org</p>